When Arthur Ashe Stadium opened its gates in 1997, it simultaneously opened a new era for the US Open. The arena, named for one of tennis’ all-time champions and grandest ambassadors, quickly established itself as the game’s greatest stage; a spectacular centerpiece for an event whose global appeal had spurred its remarkable growth. With its 23,000-plus seats, Arthur Ashe Stadium allowed more fans the chance to witness first-hand the tournament’s singular sizzle, while simultaneously affording the game’s greatest talents a fitting floorboard upon which to showcase their incredible talents. Like its host city, Arthur Ashe Stadium is unapologetically large and loud; the electricity generated within its high walls creating a wave of energy that has come to define the US Open as an event unlike any other. It is as iconic as the man for whom it is named.
In the 25 years since Arthur Ashe Stadium opened, this grand arena has hosted countless memorable moments—many of them integral pieces in constructing the US Open’s global reputation as one of the world’s most spectacular sporting events. So many great matches; so much incomparable drama; so much unforgettable magic.
Throughout the summer leading up to the 2022 US Open, USOpen.org will recount 25 of the most memorable moments from these 25 years of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Some obvious; others, less so; every one of them helped establish this unequaled arena as our game’s greatest stage.
Today, we cycle back to 2016, the year the new roof was unveiled over Arthur Ashe Stadium—and a living legend played a starring role.
At 10:38 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, came the moment of truth: the long-heralded retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium was finally put to the test during a regulation match.
And it passed with flying colors.
Though today—in a world where inconvenience is rarely tolerated—we take it for granted. Imagine, if you will, a different time; six long years ago, when umbrellas were routinely at the ready inside Ashe throughout the fortnight.
There were years when even the experts believed a retractable roof would never safely be fitted atop the largest tennis stadium in the world, but after five consecutive Monday finals from 2008 to 2012, the $150 million structure quickly went from fantasy to reality. The first major phase of construction was completed in 2015 and the state-of-the-art structure sat inactive as that year’s men’s final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic was delayed for three hours.
Thankfully, it would be the last lengthy rain delay in the history of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Fitting that it would be Rafael Nadal toiling beneath ominous skies in Flushing Meadows that evening in 2016, for it was also Nadal who had hit the first balls in anger during a practice session under the closed roof a few days earlier.
The legendary Spaniard had already expressed his affinity for the new structure after his first-round match, saying, “It is an amazing job that USTA did, and I think is a great improvement for everybody, for the players, for the fans who are visiting Flushing Meadows, and for sure for the people who are following the tournament on the television.”
On this memorable evening in Queens, Nadal and his legions of fans seemed to share the same opinion: The roof is pure magic. It was also efficient.
In the second set, with light rain starting to fall, play was suspended at 10:38 p.m. and resumed eight minutes later, at 10:46. Officially, the roof closed in 5 minutes and 22 seconds: the time it used to take fans to wrestle their umbrellas from their backpacks and open them.
Nadal soon completed a routine effort against veteran Italian Andreas Seppi (6-0, 7-5, 6-1) and gave rave reviews to the elaborate framework of more than 6,500 tons of steel.
“[It's] great to be the first player to play with the roof closed, in the competition,” Nadal said. “Because I was the first player to hit in the center court with the roof closed. The roof is so high you don't feel that you are closed, no? That's my feeling. Today, I didn't feel the change. It’s great. It’s an unbelievable, unbelievable court. So nice.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has rewritten tennis’ record books with remarkable regularity over the course of his career. Since he christened the roof in 2016, Nadal has gone on to double his US Open title count from two to four.
As the 2022 US Open approaches, Nadal aims to tie Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors with five New York crowns, an Open Era record. But he’ll always be the only one to have won the first match ever played under Arthur Ashe Stadium’s roof.
